21st Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A

The Latin phrase “Duc in Altum” means “put out into the deep.” These are the words spoken by Jesus to Peter, a poor fisherman, and his companions in the New Testament—specifically in Luke 5:1–10—after they had fished all night without catching anything and were washing their nets the next morning. Peter looked at Jesus and said, “Master, we’ve worked all night and caught nothing. But because you say so, I’ll cast the nets into the sea.” When they did so, a vast number of fish were caught in the nets. Seeing this, Peter fell down before Jesus and gave thanks.
After this event, Jesus said to Peter, “From now on, become my disciple so that you may help others.” So Peter left his boat and nets by the shore and followed Jesus.
“Put out into the deep” is spoken in a symbolic sense, meaning “go to deeper waters” or “go into the depths.” The most important things in life are not found in shallow places, but in the depths. What is truly valuable is not readily available; it lies in places that are hard to reach. The true meaning of life is not found in shallow places, but in the depths. That is why it is so important to row out into the deep.
It is true that life is, in some ways, filled with futility and disappointment. In the midst of their disappointment—amidst life’s sorrows and sufferings, confusion and fear, dead ends and emptiness—Peter and his companions moved forward in obedience to Jesus’ words, “Go out into the deep.” As a result, they realized for the first time what the purpose of their lives was.
As for Peter, other passages in the Gospels also record his story. He was given the name “Rock” by Jesus. In the Old Testament, the word “rock” is used in two senses. One is the meaning found in Psalm 62:1–3: “God is my rock, the rock of my salvation.” This indicates that God is an “unshakable, mighty rock.” The other is the meaning of “a rock to be shattered.” It implies that because it is a useless rock, it must be destroyed.
Isn’t the meaning behind Jesus giving Peter the name “Rock” found more in the “rock to be shattered” than in the “unshakable great rock”? In order for Peter to become an “unshakable great rock,” he must break away from unnecessary parts and any rocks that stand in his way.
Peter was the leader of the disciples, yet even as he was invited by Jesus to walk on the lake, it was Peter who became afraid and nearly drowned (Matthew 14:22–33). At the Last Supper, Jesus said, “One of you will betray me.” Peter then replied, “Master, even if I have to die with you, I will never betray you.” Yet, after the Last Supper, when Jesus was arrested, he fled along with the other disciples (Matthew 26:47–56). It was also he who denied Jesus three times, just as Jesus had foretold (Matthew 26:69–75).
The saddest thing about betrayal is that it never comes from an enemy. There is nothing more painful than being betrayed by someone we thought would never hurt us. Jesus probably never expected to be betrayed by Peter. Yet, in the end, Peter did betray him.
Looking at Peter like this, how can he be called a “rock”? Far from being a rock, he seems more like a crumbly, fragile pile of sand. The name “rock” that Jesus gave him begins to seem like an irony.
Betrayal is proof that not everyone who smiles at you is truly sincere. Trust is like glass—once it’s broken, it can never be mended. Being betrayed is painful, but it’s also the universe’s way of showing who is truly worth protecting. Betrayal teaches us that heartless promises are nothing but empty words. Sometimes, the person you trust the most is the one who hurts you the deepest. Silence is a true friend that never betrays you.
Life teaches us that we cannot control another person’s loyalty. No matter how kind you are, they may not treat you the same way in return. No matter how much you cherish them, they may not value you in the same way. Sometimes, the person you love the most can become the one you trust the least.
Peter was certainly a weak man, but after Jesus’ resurrection, he carried out remarkable work. By sharing in the resurrected Jesus, Peter gained new strength and, though broken, became the true “Rock.” Not only that, but he was also entrusted with the keys to the Kingdom of Heaven.
What matters in life is not that we never fall, but that we get back up when we do. Nelson Mandela once said, “Don’t measure yourself by your successes. Measure yourself by how many times you’ve fallen and gotten back up.”
Let’s embark on this week’s journey keeping in mind that “because we have overcome so many difficulties in life, we can overcome whatever comes our way from now on.”